Petition Request 

This petition requests that Darebin City Council grant the Preston Bullants Amateur Football Club increased, equitable, and consistent access to Preston City Oval from the 2027 winter season onwards. 

Background and Grounds for Request 

The Preston Bullants Amateur Football Club has completed the most successful season in its history. Four of the club’s five teams qualified for finals for the first time, and the Senior Men’s Team secured a historic Grand Final victory. This achievement has resulted in promotion to the Premier C Division of the Victorian Amateur Football Association, one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious football competitions. 

Promotion to Premier C requires the Senior Men to play on a Premier-standard playing surface. The club’s current home ground, Ruthven Reserve is classified by Darebin City Council as a District Level Park which does not meet VAFA’s premier-level requirements. With five teams currently competing and a sixth team expected to join in 2027, Ruthven Reserve cannot accommodate the expanded program or the higher-level competition standards. 

An additional playing surface is urgently required to ensure the club can meet the VAFA’s Premier-grade obligations and continue providing high-quality community football pathways. 

Our community strongly believes that Preston City Oval should function as a shared community asset, not an exclusive venue reserved solely for elite sports pathways. Granting equitable access to local community clubs will optimise utilisation of this historic ground, ensure consistent maintenance by committed local stakeholders, and preserve Preston’s proud sporting heritage

As dedicated ratepayers and members of the Preston community, many of us hold a deep connection to the legacy of the former Preston Bullants VFL/VFA club. We believe the Preston Bullants Amateur Football Club deserves equitable access to Preston City Oval, particularly during the winter season. Our players, parents, 

partners, and members are active contributors to the community and deserve opportunities to develop and showcase the sporting talents of Preston residents. 

Preston City Oval is not merely an elite venue; it is a community facility intended to be shared by all ratepayers. Current limitations on access hinder the ability to foster an inclusive environment where players of all abilities can thrive. The Oval is significantly underutilised, and granting increased access will ensure its benefits extend to a broader base of community members while guaranteeing consistent care and maintenance. 

By focusing resources solely on elite pathways, Darebin Council risks overlooking the potential of emerging local footballers who wish to call Preston home. Many former participants have progressed to higher levels of competition, and continued access to quality facilities is essential for nurturing future talent. Disconnecting community players from their historic home ground diminishes these opportunities.